The Kansas City Chiefs want to bring some explosiveness back to their offense in 2026. The return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was the first piece of the puzzle. Kansas City needs to be on the lookout for playmakers as they enter free agency next month, though.
A popular target among Chiefs fans has been Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely. Once a sworn enemy of Chiefs Kingdom, Likely has been changing his tune as he prepares to hit the market. The latest comments came as he sat down with former NFL head coach and Barstool Sports commentator Jon Gruden in an interview released on Thursday.
“I just want to be able to blossom,” Likely said via Ravens Vault’s Bobby Trosset. “I feel like the last couple of years I’ve had a great vet in Mark Andrews. He taught me everything to be a star-caliber tight end to the point where it’s like now, I feel like I just want to be on a team where I can get out there and help a quarterback put up as much points as possible.”
Those comments make it sound like Likely is looking for a larger opportunity, and it could be the next step in talking his way into the Chiefs’ free agency plans ahead of next season.
Isaiah Likely Sounding More Probable to Sign with Chiefs
The Chiefs already have Travis Kelce at tight end, but there could be room for another playmaker. Back in 2021, ESPN’s Adam Teicher reported that the Chiefs were debating using multiple tight end sets with Kelce, Noah Gray, Blake Bell, and Jody Fortson on the roster. Teicher also noted that the Chiefs ranked in the NFL’s top 10 each season from 2014 to 2017 in the number of plays featuring three tight end personnel groupings, leading the league in 2016.
While the Chiefs moved away from those formations with Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, and Mecole Hardman at receiver, Kansas City hasn’t had that speed in recent seasons. As a result, Bieniemy may need to dust off the old playbook, leaving plenty of opportunities for Likely if he comes to Kansas City.
Likely has been a sneaky threat since he was selected by the Ravens in the fourth round of the 2022 draft, catching 135 passes for 1,568 yards and 15 touchdowns over four seasons. But he’s never been the top tight end, playing behind Andrews, who has become one of the league's best tight ends.
There won’t be that opportunity in Kansas City, but if Reid and Bieniemy plan on using multiple tight ends, Likely could be on the field more than he was in Baltimore. It’s also possible that Likely could use 2026 to learn Kelce’s role in the offense, as he’s contemplated retirement for each of the past two offseasons.
Kelce still needs to re-sign with the Chiefs as he prepares to be a free agent. But with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback and the pieces for a rebound in place, Likely would be wise to consider the Chiefs even if Kelce returns for one more run.
Likely’s projected $8.8 million market value, according to Spotrac, could make it tough. But he’s making it sound more probable that he could wind up in Kansas City next month.